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Iraq and the war at home
From a talk given at the Jan 20 Counter-Inaugural protest
in LA by Malena Hinze
I'm an organizer with ANSWER Coalition in
Los Angeles. We initiated Counter-Inaugural demonstrations like this
throughout the U.S. today because we knew how many millions wanted to
speak out against Bush and this illegal, repressive war.
Things aren't looking good for Bush on the first day of his second term.
His administration's vision of the future has gone up in flames in Iraq.
The Iraq war and occupation has turned into the most serious problem for
the U.S. rulers in more than a decade. It's their biggest crisis since
the Vietnam War.
The cause is clear: their military machine hasn't been able to crush the
anti-occupation resistance in Iraq. On the contrary, the resistance has
vastly expanded in size and capacity.
Since May 1, 2003, when Bush told us the Iraq "mission was
accomplished," the death and destruction has increased.
More than 100,000 Iraqis have died since the U.S. invaded. And at least
1,300 U.S. troops have been killed in a war that costs more than $10
million per hour.
Where's the money coming from? Our pockets. Bush and Cheney and their
corporate cronies would rather spend billions slaughtering Iraqis,
instead of using it on healthcare and social services we desperately
need here in the U.S.
They want to take away Social Security and shut down our hospitals. They
want to take our pensions and send our brothers and sisters and sons and
daughters to fight and die in Iraq. All for corporate interests. All for
profit and greed.
The most important ingredient in the coming years is not what the Bush
administration does-we know what they'll do. The question is what will
we do? Will we run, or will we stand and fight. If we stand together and
fight, Bush and the ruling elite will be defeated.
Tonight is one important step toward achieving our goal. But we've got
to keep organizing and pushing forward in a united front against war,
racism, sexism and anti-gay bigotry.
We've got to stand up for immigrants' rights and defend union rights.
Our future depends on our unity and willingness to take on these
struggles as our own.
Next, we have to mobilize tens of thousands in LA on March 19 to protest
the 2nd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. That day, ANSWER has called
for national demonstrations. Protests will happen throughout the world.
We'll be meeting in Hollywood. Join us and help us build it.
The people united will never be defeated. El pueblo unido jamas sera
vencido.
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